Physical Therapy

A child in a space ranger costume cheers with a raised fist while seated in a wheelchair transformed into a spaceship with a costume cover, representing adaptive Halloween costume ideas for kids who use wheelchairs.

How Do You Adapt a Halloween Costume for a Wheelchair, Walker, or Braces? Easy Ideas for Kids

Children Activities, Parent Education, Physical Therapy

QUICK ANSWER Yes, you can adapt almost any Halloween costume. For a wheelchair, a costume […]

A toddler in socks carefully climbs over a colorful padded play structure at an indoor children's gym.

When Should My Child See a Pediatric Physical Therapist? Signs Parents Often Miss

Parent Education, Physical Therapy

QUICK ANSWER Most parents know to watch for missed milestones like rolling, sitting, or walking […]

A laughing father carries his giggling daughter across his shoulders as her mother holds her hand in a sunny park.

What Does Pediatric Therapy Cost Without Insurance?

ABA Therapy, Costs, Occupational Therapy, Parent Education, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy

QUICK ANSWER Without insurance, pediatric therapy sessions across OT, PT, speech, and ABA typically range […]

A pediatric physical therapist smiling and holding hands with a young girl wearing an ankle-foot orthosis as she steps across colorful balance blocks in a therapy gym.

What Does a Pediatric Physical Therapist Actually Do?

Physical Therapy

QUICK ANSWER A pediatric physical therapist evaluates a child’s posture, strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, and […]

Navigating School Law and Ensuring Medically Necessary Therapy: What Parents Need to Know

ABA Therapy, Child Counseling, Occupational Therapy, Parent Education, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy

If you’re the parent of a child with autism or developmental differences, you’ve likely faced tough questions about how to balance school and therapy. As your child reaches school age, you may find yourself wondering:

serial cast for child toe walking

Why Early Intervention is Crucial for Toe Walking

Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy

You may wonder why your child is toe walking. It’s important to know that toe walking always happens for a reason. Over the years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of children who toe walk, a trend that continues today.

Child with RBT

What Is Torticollis in Babies? And Does Pediatric Physical Therapy Help?

Physical Therapy

Torticollis occurs when your baby’s neck muscles cause their head to tip and rotate to the opposite or same side. The top of their head may be tilted to one side and their chin may be tilted to the other side.

This means that the head can tilt to the left and turn to the left; tilt to the left and turn to the right, or tilt right and turn right; tilt right and turn left.

aac devices being used at Westside by a child during a therapy session

What are AAC devices and how can they help my child?

ABA Therapy, Feeding Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy

As human beings, we were designed to communicate. As communicators, we should be able to request, question, comment, express feelings and emotions, etc. 

While some may not use their words to communicate, everyone should at least have the tools to be able to communicate.

photo of a kids' physical therapy session at Westside in Illinois

3 Great Reasons to Keep Up Home Exercise Programs in Kids’ Physical Therapy

Children Activities, Physical Therapy, Uncategorized

We love seeing you and your child for each kids’ physical therapy session at our Westside clinics. However, sometimes we only get to see you once a week. 

Depending on insurance, many families can only get one visit per week for kids’ physical therapy.

pediatric physical therapy room at Westside Children's Therapy in Illinois

What Does a Pediatric Physical Therapy Session Look Like?

Physical Therapy

Pediatric physical therapy sessions are designed to address each child’s individual needs. Physical therapy at Westside will help a child maximize their physical abilities and minimize their physical limitations. 

photo of a therapist at Westside Children's Therapy in Illinois with a child that has serial casting

5 Reasons to Start Serial Casting Early

Physical Therapy, Serial Casting

Early intervention is important for any therapy. It provides the child the best chance of maximizing outcomes. For example, a child may need speech therapy at a certain age, but the indicators may be overlooked.

picture of a child's serial casting at Westside in Illinois

What is Serial Casting & How Can It Help My Child?

Physical Therapy, Serial Casting

Serial casting is a non-invasive conservative method used to improve joint range of motion for a variety of diagnoses (toe walking, cerebral palsy, arthrogryposis, spina bifida, club foot, traumatic and acquired brain injuries, muscular dystrophy, etc.). It is most commonly used to help correct toe walking.